Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D850 Compare

Here you can find digital cameras comparison. Pick up with the best rating.

Cameras which are being compared are Professional DSLR cameras.

K-1 vs D850 - Side by side

Learn more about compared cameras specifications below.

Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D850 Specs

K-1

  • Introduced in February 2016
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 36 megapixel
  • 4 frames/second
  • 100 – 204800 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 76.00mm (3.0″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount KAF2
  • WiFi built-in
  • 136.5 x 110 x 85.5mm³ (5.4″ x 4.3″ x 3.4″)
  • 1010g (32.6 oz.)

All specs: Main page for K-1

D850

  • Introduced in August 2017
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 46 megapixel
  • 7 frames/second
  • 64 – 25600 ISO
  • 3840 x 2160 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 82.00mm (3.2″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount F
  • WiFi built-in
  • 146 x 124 x 79mm³ (5.7″ x 4.9″ x 3.1″)
  • 1015g (32.7 oz.)

All specs: Main page for D850

K-1 vs D850 Sensors

On the pictures below the sensor areas of cameras are highlighted.

This infographic highlights the sensor areas of both models compared to other common sensor formats:

Info graphic: K-1 an D850 sensor comparison

K-1 vs D850: Viewfinder

K-1 has an optical viewfinder with penta prism. It has magnification of 0.70x and covers 100% of view field.

The D850 features an optical viewfinder with a penta prism that also covers 100% of the field of view, its magnification is c. 0.75x.

Viewfinder magnifications of compared cameras. The black area shows a magnification of 1x, relative to native size; in red is a magnification of 0.85x.

K-1 (0.70x)

D850 (0.75x)

Better choice: Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 VS Nikon D850 Other Specs Comparison

Why is Pentax K-1 a better choice

K-1

D850

Better sensibility (4)

100 – 204800 ISO 64 – 25600 ISO
Image stabilizer (3)

More portable (2)

1284cm³
(81 cu.in.)
1430cm³
(90 cu.in.)
GPS (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the K-1 are the larger sensitivity, the optical image stabilizer and the more compact size. Finally, there’s the the built-in GPS.

The K-1 scores 11 points.

Otherwise why to choose Nikon D850

K-1

D850

Wider resolution (5, megapixel)

36.40 45.70
Higher speed (4, frames/second)

4 7
Auto Focus points (4)

33 153
Larger lens selection (3)

40 200
Better monitor (2, Megapixel)

1.04 2.36
Touch screen (2)

Better Video (2)

1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Longer battery life (3, photos)

750 1840
USB 3.0 (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the D850 are the higher resolution, that the camera is faster and the faster and more accurate auto focus. Additional pros for the Nikon are the larger selection of lenses, that the display has a higher resolution and the rather comfortable touch screen. A recommendation of the D850 is made easy by the superior video recording, that the battery has more stamina and the support for USB 3.0. HArdly a luxury, given today’s image size and the requirements of 4K video.

Yields 27 points for the D850.

Common Specs for both cameras compared

K-1

D850

Sensor format

Full frame Full frame
Sensor cleaning

Articulated screen

External microphone

Similar weight

1010g 1015g
WiFi

Environmental sealing

Pentax K-1 VS Nikon D850 Dimensions

Look at front view of the K-1 and D850

Top view of cameras

Total scores

Here’s the total score according to comparison above:

Pentax K-1

Nikon D850

11
27

We recommend Nikon D850 as better choice.